44 her optimistic photography she has found a way to represent the richness of her cultural heritage, creating a visual counterpoint to the challenges of a multi-racial upbringing. ‘Photography allowed artists and patrons alike to express their articulation of what modernity looked like.’ So states the text for the Metropolitan Museum’s 2015 exhibition on West African studio photography which incorporated Acolatse alongside Seydou Keïta, Malick Sidibé and Samuel Fosso. Spanning over a century of practice, the show highlighted the participating photographers’ distinct authorship.
TALENT However, sitting outside of the picture frame are also the socio-political aspects of work produced in a predominantly colonial era. Acolatse’s success was made possible through the patronage of Togo’s governing bodies as well as an aspirant Togolese middle class. One hundred years later, Ayivi’s work is that of a young female photographer, championing and personifying the modernity, internationalism and confidence of her generation: ‘celebrating all forms of black beauty and joy. This is what I do best.’ — Text by Sophie Wright
All images from the series Heimat (in Quarantine) © Delali Ayivi, courtesy of the artist DELALI AYIVI is a Togolese and German photographer and art director studying Creative Direction for Fashion at London College of Fashion/ UAL. In 2019 Ayivi started the project Togo Yeye with Malaika Nabillah, and together they seek out and collaborate with innovative Togolese fashion designers to create work that documents and empowers their creative community. Ultimately, they aim to create a directory for the Togolese creative landscape that will facilitate collaboration, national trade and consumption to strengthen their creative economy. SOPHIE WRIGHT is a photography and art consultant with over 20 years’ experience in content strategy, creative direction, artist and collections management. Formerly Global Cultural Director at Magnum Photos, 2015–2020, Wright oversaw cultural programmes in the Middle East and China as well as developing Magnum’s programme of exhibitions, books, commissions and print sales with her international team in Europe and the USA. She conceived the Live Lab in 2017 — an ongoing programme of experimental residencies for contemporary photographers. She regularly writes and lectures on photography.